Second Empire

In the First Terran Empire, each year's end was marked by back-to-back holidays, Yulstice and Year Day.

Yulstice, the final day of the old year, was also known as Santamas and was celebrated by the arrival of Santa, a jolly old elf who brought presents to good children and turned bad children into carbon.

At midnight on Yulestice, synchronized crystalline balls dropped on major Imperial worlds, while everyone toasted the new year with their libation of choice.

Year Day, the first day of the new year, was celebrated by parties

Both these holidays were intercalary, i.e. they were independent of the pattern of tendays. The preceding day (December 30) always fell on Terraday, a traditional day off. The succeeding day (January 1) always fell on Sunday, also a traditional day off.

The result was a four-day holiday enjoyed by all.

Many societies that came after the Empire preserved the same calendar and the same four-day year-end holiday.

The Mother Church of Lorecanism, havings its headquarters and main temple on Credix.

Lorecanism in the Second Terran Empire bears little resemblance to the Credixian movement from which it is descended. The Grand Primate of Circe Mater, the Kollegum Eklestum which elects and advises him, and the Aesir-plus computer which administers the Church's long-range goals: these are the three bodies which speak ex cathedra from the Sacred Bench.

Ruling body of the Second Empire, composed of representatives of the Idara in congress assembled on Terra-Prime. The Vormen Konfedera, or Forms of Confederation, established Konfederum Galacta and the Empire.